NCAA FB

Golson opens up on suspension, plans

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP)

Suspended Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson said he used ''poor judgment on a test,'' which is what got him suspended for the fall semester.

''It wasn't due to poor grades or anything like that,'' he told Sports Illustrated in a video posted by the magazine. Asked directly if he cheated on a test, Golson said: ''Yeeeeeeeaaaahhh, something like that.''

''Like I said, I'm just going to leave it at poor judgment,'' he told the magazine. Asked again if it was cheating on a test, Golson responded: ''Test situation.''

Golson had previously said only that he was suspended for using poor academic judgment without specifying the context. He said in the interview that what he did was considered a violation of the honor code. Michael Bertsch, a spokesman for the football team, said he couldn't comment because of privacy laws. Golson did not return a telephone message left Tuesday by The Associated Press or respond to a text message.

Golson said going from the national championship game to being out of college has been ''humbling,'' saying it hurts to watch the Irish (6-2) play.

Kelly said last week he and offensive coordinator Chuck Martin are in touch regularly with Golson, who is from Myrtle Beach, S.C.

''He's in a disciplined environment, one I'm very comfortable with,'' Kelly said. ''Just catching up on what we're doing, game plans, staying connected. He's staying connected weekly from that standpoint.

Golson said when he first learned in May he had been suspended for the fall semester his first concern was about how his family would react.

Golson, who is training in San Diego under quarterback coach George Whitfield, said he feels like he some unfinished business at Notre Dame after the Irish were routed 42-14 by Alabama in the BCS championship game, saying he was ''completely embarrassed'' by the loss.

Golson, who has two years of eligibility left, said he knew he wanted to return to Notre Dame rather than play for a junior college or transfer to another school.

''My heart was set on going back to Notre Dame,'' Golson said. ''Not necessarily to prove (anything) to anybody, just doing it for me. I felt like that's something that I started and I didn't want to run away from it and go to a juco or go to another school. I was going to face it.''

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